Ventrac 4500 or Steiner 440

[MAMtractorguy]

I currently own a 1995 Kubota B2100 with a front mounted snow blower and belly mower. It has a ton of hours on it, I bought it in 2008 with 4,000 + hours and the hour meter quit working shortly after I bought it. I spend more time fixing this tractor than using it. I think I'm ready to move on to something newer.

I want to buy a new Ventrac 4500 or maybe a used Steiner 440. I like the idea of being able to change implements quickly. I live on 4 acres with a giant yard (on a hill) and a long driveway. I plan on buying a tractor with the finish mower, snow blower, and blade to push snow. I have talked to a Ventrac sales rep a few times and have a quote. The sales rep said I need the 4500p which has the 31 hp liquid cooled Kawasaki FD851D engine for hills. I also found a slightly used 2017 Steiner 440 with the air cooled 32.5 hp Kohler Command Pro CH940 engine. The used Steiner includes one implement and would save me around $15,000. I would like some opinions. I really like the Ventrac, but it would be nice to save some money. Would the air cooled 32.5 Kohler Steiner 440 work for me? I have noticed little to no used Ventracs on the market. Probably a good reason for that. Thanks.

 

[johara1]

I had both, the 440 take some getting use too and I added the hand and foot control. The 440 has more hydraulic power and it has a separate pump. The Ventrac is a sick chicken on hydraulics. As long as you don't work steep the 440 will work great, the ventrac is a little more user friendly and 4500P will be a lot easier on gas. The mower deck on the ventrac is far superior to the Steiner..... jim